Cast-metal vehicle wheel



Sept. 28 1926. 1,600,978

- T. R. DAVIS CAST METAL VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Feb. 26, 1925 15 2x w 12 23 W h 22 17 21 W Ii H V L J c' INVENTOR.

25 2o Zfwnzasliflavs BY 6 Wm MTTORNEYS.

30 dis ensed with.

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS RICE DAVIS, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE EASTERN MALLEAIBLE IRON 00., OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICU T.

CAST-METAL VEHICLE WHEEL.

Application nia February 26, 1925. Serial No. 11,874.

Another object is to provide a wheel structure of relatively great strength, -so as to withstand torsional, Weight and side strains, and which will at the same time be of extremely light weight, as compared with 1 cast wheels heretofore in use.

A further object is to provide in such a wheel structure a pluralit of spaced rim supporting means mtegra therewith, and so designed as to provide adequate support forthe rim, and at the same time not add greatly to the weight of' the wheel.

Another object is to provlde a cast wheel structure of semi-disc-semi-s oke type, havin a closure ring adapte to close and bridge the spaces provided by the spoke structure, so that an entirely closed d1sc effect is produced, said ring also functioning as a retaining ring for the demountable t1re carrying rim, so that the usual rim lugs are still further object is to rovide a wheel having an integral brake rum, adapting the same to use as either a front or rear brake-equipped wheel, and-also to provide an improved co-relative brake and wheel structure in which the brake is centralized with respect to the central plane of rotation ofthe wheel, so that the most efficient braking is obtained, this being) particularly 1m- 4 portant with front wheel rakes.

scribed with reference thereto, and the in vention will be finallly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a cast wheel,

according to the invention, adapted for front axle use, and showing the rimpartial "1y broken away; and

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view there of, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention shown therein comprises a hub 10, illustrated as adapted for use upon the front axle spindles of an automobile, but which may be desi ed for rear axle use, and a plate or we portion 11 formed integrally with the hub, and curved rearwardly from its oint of connection to a relatively fiat marginal ortion, radial reinforcing ribs 12 being ormed integrally between the hub and the inner surface of the web.

At its periphery the-web is provided with a relatively small bead 13 (Fig. 2), and at a plurality of equally spaced points there are provided radial extension portions 14 having inwardly extending rim seats 15 formed integrally therewith, being slightly beveledat their forward ends, as at 16, and flared outwardly at their rearward ends, as at 17, for seating engagement therewith of the rim, as will presently more fully appear.

The extension portions 14 are furthermore each provided with a recessed portion 18 having a hole 19 therein for engagement of the rim retaining bolts.

In inwardly spaced relation to its periphery the web is rovided at its inner surface with an annu ar cylindrical brake drum portion 20, formed integrally therewith, re-* inforced by radial ribs 21 extending between the same and the rim seats 15, and which also reinforce the said seats, and also by reinforcing ribs 22 provided centrally between the ribs 21.

The flanged tire sup orting rim 23 is provided at its inner sur ace and adjacentthe forward and rearward flanges with annular flan e ribs 24 and 25, adapted to seat upon t e beveled ortions, 16 and the bearing on the. ring to secure the latter and flanged portions 17 o the rim seats, respecrim in position. This ring 26 closes the peripheral spaces of the web portion between the extension portions l-l so that a solid disc structure is presented.

One of the rim seats is preferably provided with an aperture 30 for the tire valve stem, and an opening 31 is furthermore provided in the web for the end of the stem, which is bent at a right angle, to project through said opening 31.

It will be noted that the brake drum is circumferentially aligned with the rim, and that the central plane of rotation of the tire, and therefore the point of contact with the ground, passes centrally through the brake drum, so that the braking resistance is applied in direct line with the torsional moment of the wheel, and the maximum braking etiiciency is thus obtained. This is particularly important with front wheels, where any off-center resistance is apt to impair the steering of the wheels.

While I have illustrated the wheel provided with an integral brake drum, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of use without the brake drum, and further that any desired type of hub, either front or rear, may be employed.

The wheel, according to my invention, may be cast by simple and efiicient casting methods, and a light strong structure is provided. The provision of the spaced extension portions 14 and the closing ring 26 produces a solid disc structure, which at the same time is extremely light in weight.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is J. In a Vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extension portions and retaining said rim upon said seats.

2. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said. extension portions, extending inwardly in substantially parallelrelation to the axis of the wheel, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extension portions and retaining said rim upon said seats.

3. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions and provided with forward beveled seating surfaces, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extension portions and retaining said rim upon said seats.

4. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions extending inwardly in substantially parallel relation to the axis of the wheel and provided rearwardly with outwardly extending flange portions, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extension portions. and retaining said rim upon said seats.

In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, a brake drum formed integrally upon the inner side of said web structure in annularly spaced relation to said hub, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extension portions and retaining said rim upon said seats.

6. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, a brake drum formed integrally upon the inner side of said web structure in radially spaced relation to said hub, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions, radial reinforcing ribs formed integrally between said rim seats, extension portions and web and the outer surface of said brake drum, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and a retaining ring secured to said web structure bridging and closing the spaces between said extensionportions and retaining said rim upon said seats.

7. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of said extension portions, said extension portaming bolt receivlng holes adjacent each said ring.

riln seat, a demountable rim engaged upon Signed at Bridgeport in the county of 10 said rim seats, a retaining ring bridging F airfield and State of Connecticut this 24 and closing the spaces between said extenday of February A. D. 1925.

sion portions and engaging said rim in retaining relation, and retaining bolts en- THOMAS RICE DAVIS.

tions being respectively provided with regaged in said holes and adapted to secure 

